No wonder I slept so well.I was clean.Safe.Warm.And all those things at the same time.
Safe.
Yes, I’m repeating myself.But I want to.Because I can.
I.
Am.
Safe.
I look at the huge walk-in shower and then at the deep soaking tub.I need to choose one, since I can’t lounge in the bathroom all day.But it’s not an easy decision.I settle on the shower, only because I know if I get in that tub, I’ll never get out.
And I need to get to work.If I don’t get to work, I don’t get to stay.
That’s when I finally think to find out what time it is.And when I check my phone, I almost cry.It’s nine o’clock.
I’ve overslept.
I throw a dirty look at the perfect bed, because it’s to blame.That bed is going to get me fired before I start!
I brush my teeth, slip on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt, make my bed, and run downstairs to get to work.No makeup.I don’t even brush my hair.As I race down the steps, I pull my hair up on top of my head and twist it to stay in place.
I’ll find a bread bag tie or something in the kitchen that I can use to keep it off my face while I clean.
Jasmine meets me at the bottom of the stairs with a wide, welcoming grin.“Daddy told me not to wake you, so I’ve been real quiet while I waited.Do you want Cap’n Crunch?I saved you some.”
“I should get to work.”
I smell something burning.I look around nervously for Finn.I don’t know where they keep the fire extinguisher, and that should have been the first thing I did last night.Safety is always the first thing you ask about on a new job.
Actually, I should have asked about the coffee situation last night, too.Because right now, I would happily kill someone for a cup of coffee.I drink a lot of coffee, as a rule.I can’t work without coffee.Maybe this morning will be another first for me.
“You can start in the kitchen,” Jasmine tells me, her voice a whisper.“My dad decided to make breakfast.It’s a big mess, and I don’t think he knows how to work the stove.He knows how to work the toaster, but he told me there’s no toaster pastries today because he’scooking.”
She takes my hand and tugs me toward the kitchen.I stop in the archway, my mouth falling open.For two reasons.
First, it looks like an explosion has just ripped through here.Maybe multiple explosions.Like the entire Big Lots housewares section has just blown up.
The second reason is because Mr.MacLaine is standing at the stove, his back to me.He’s wearing just a T-shirt and a pair of underwear.I think they’re called boxer briefs.I think I might keel over.
Jasmine squeezes my hand.
He spins around, holding a spatula at chest level.Sweat’s dripping down his face.I think I see pancake batter in his hair.Smoke billows from a small frying pan on the gas burner.
“Oh.”
As soon as that lame statement escapes my mouth, I clamp it shut.I don’t want to say anything else, because it’s going to be super stupid, whatever it is.And probably embarrassing.
I try very hard not to look at his underwear.
“I hope you’re hungry, because I’m cooking,” he says.He glances at the frying pan, and he wipes his forehead with the back of his hand.
“I think Emma wants Cap’n Crunch,” Jasmine says.I want to high-five her for her smart diplomacy, but I hold back.
“Why would…?”Finn glances at the burned mess in the frying pan.“Right.”
“Hey, Jasmine.How about I make coffee while you get the cereal?”
